Nigeria’s Missing Stage: Why major African conferences are not held in Nigeria — and how to change that

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation, largest economy, and one of the continent’s leading contributors to trade, investment, and professional services. Yet paradoxically, most major Africa-wide conferences — from Africa Energy Week to Mining Indaba, Africa Fintech Summit, and Africa Oil Week — are hosted not in Nigeria, but in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Nairobi, or Kigali.

Despite Nigerian firms and delegates forming a substantial proportion of attendees and sponsors, these events consistently bypass Nigeria as a venue. This imbalance is not only economic but symbolic: it reflects a growing perception that Nigeria is a participant, not a platform, in shaping Africa’s future.

This white paper examines the dimensions of this paradox, using data from recent continental events and insights gathered during the author’s participation at Africa Energy Week 2025 in Cape Town.

It argues that Nigeria’s absence as a host destination stems from structural, regulatory, and perceptual barriers rather than lack of capacity. The paper concludes with a policy and strategy framework to reposition Nigeria as a viable and preferred conference hub within Africa.

Introduction: The Paradox of Participation Without Hosting

In October 2025, I attended Africa Energy Week (AEW) in Cape Town — Africa’s premier oil, gas, and energy investment event. Thousands of delegates filled the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC): ministers, CEOs, financiers, engineers, and journalists.

Listening to the sessions, it was evident that Nigeria’s voice, companies, and capital dominated the conversations. Nigerian delegates led panel sessions, Nigerian firms like Oando Energy Services and First E&P sponsored key sessions, and Nigerian consultants, contractors, and investors packed the halls.

Yet, the event was not held in Lagos, Abuja, or Port Harcourt — the epicentres of Africa’s largest oil and gas industry.
This paradox extends beyond energy. African summits on mining, innovation, finance, agriculture, and even creative industries regularly bypass Nigeria, despite its market size and professional depth. It is not normal, and it is time to fix it.

The Scale of Nigeria’s Underrepresentation as Host

The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) ranked Nigeria 14th in Africa in 2023 for hosting international meetings — well behind South Africa, Rwanda, Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, and even Uganda. By comparison:

Major Annual Africa-Wide Conferences Hosted ICCA Rank (2023)

Estimated Meetings Economic Impact

South Africa
Africa Energy Week, Mining Indaba, Investing in African Mining, AfricaCom
1 R388.5 million (2023)

Kenya
Africa Climate Summit, Africa Tech Summit 3 US$85 million (est.)

Rwanda
Africa CEO Forum, Transform Africa Summit 5 US$60 million (est.)

Nigeria
Few continental events (mostly local/regional) 14. US$10 million (est.)

Source: South African Tourism & ICCA Reports (2023)

The disparity is striking. Nigeria, which accounts for roughly 18% of Africa’s GDP and over 200 million consumers, captures less than 2% of the continent’s conference economy.

Case Study: Africa Energy Week (AEW)

Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC)

Organiser: African Energy Chamber

Attendance: Over 5,000 participants (2022–2025 editions)

Sponsors: TotalEnergies, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Oando, Halliburton, Schlumberger, etc.

Nigerian Presence: Among top five national delegations by headcount and sponsorship.

At the 2025 edition, Nigerian delegates filled numerous panels, from “Gas as the Transition Fuel for Africa” to “Local Content in Upstream Operations.” Nigerian firms exhibited prominently, and the Nigerian flag was visible across multiple stands.

Yet, as several participants privately asked: Why isn’t this event happening in Lagos or Abuja, closer to the heartbeat of Africa’s oil and gas sector?

The answer lies not in capacity, but in confidence and coordination.

Why Nigeria Is Bypassed: Root Causes

Perception and Risk Premium

International organisers view Nigeria as complex — citing concerns over logistics, electricity reliability, urban congestion, and bureaucratic delays. South Africa, Rwanda, and Kenya have cultivated reputations of predictability, even if their challenges are comparable.

Lack of Institutional Support

Countries that host major summits have dedicated “Convention Bureaus” or Event Support Offices that provide incentives, guarantee ministerial attendance, and ensure seamless logistics. Nigeria lacks such a coordinating body, leaving event bids to fragmented private efforts.

Infrastructure Gaps

While Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt boast capable venues (Eko Convention Centre, Abuja ICC), they often lack the seamless ecosystem — from customs clearance to airport transfers — that high-value international events demand.

Currency and Regulatory Uncertainty

Organisers worry about forex instability, import duty unpredictability, and sudden regulatory shifts. Payments for booths, sponsorships, or logistics are often denominated in foreign currency, but repatriation is difficult.

Branding Deficit

South Africa’s “Meetings Africa” and Rwanda’s “Kigali Convention Bureau” aggressively market their destinations as conference capitals. Nigeria’s tourism marketing is largely inward-looking, missing opportunities to position itself as a continental convening power.

Economic and Strategic Costs of Non-Hosting

The absence of large-scale conference tourism has both tangible and intangible costs:

Revenue Loss: A single international event with 3,000–5,000 delegates generate between US$10–30 million in direct and indirect spending (hotels, catering, taxis, local events).

Job Creation: South Africa’s meetings industry supports over 750 jobs annually per major event cycle.

Soft Power Erosion: Nations that host shape the narratives, policy framing, and media coverage — a strategic advantage Nigeria currently forfeits.

Capacity Deficit: Local logistics, event management, and hospitality firms miss the opportunity to scale to international standards.

Hosting major events is thus both an economic and diplomatic instrument. It is a form of economic statecraft — one Nigeria must wield.

Comparative Advantage: Why Nigeria Should Lead

Despite current challenges, Nigeria possesses immense structural advantages:

Market Size: Africa’s largest energy market, fintech ecosystem, and creative industry.

Connectivity: Multiple international airports and hubs, with growing regional links.

Private Sector Depth: Strong domestic corporate sponsors (banks, telecoms, oil firms).

Venue Capacity: Existing infrastructure in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and emerging facilities in Uyo and Owerri.

Talent Base: A large pool of professional event planners, media, and security experts.

These assets are underutilised because they lack a coherent policy and institutional platform to attract international events.

Voices from the Field

“Nigerians make up 30–40 percent of the delegates at some of these continental energy events, yet we never meet on Nigerian soil. That needs to change.”
— Industry delegate, AEW 2025, Cape Town.

“Conference tourism is one of the easiest ways to show a nation is open for business. When you host, the world comes to you, not the other way around.”
— African Energy Chamber representative.

“The infrastructure exists in Lagos; what’s missing is political will and unified coordination.”
— Event management professional, Lagos.

These voices echo what many industry participants feel: Nigeria is ready — but it must organize itself.

Policy Recommendations: Building Nigeria’s Conference Diplomacy

• Establish a National Strategic Events and Conferences Office (NSECO)
• A dedicated inter-ministerial body should be set up under the Federal Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism — coordinating with Trade, Industry, Foreign Affairs, and Aviation — to:
• Bid for continental and global events;
• Provide financial guarantees or risk-sharing;
• Coordinate logistics, visas, and security.

Incentivise Hosting and Sponsorship

• Offer tax incentives to Nigerian corporations that sponsor or co-host major Africa-wide events locally.
• Develop a Conference Hosting Fund for seed grants and infrastructure subsidies.

Upgrade Key Venues

Fast-track certification and capacity upgrades for:

• Eko Convention Centre, Lagos
• Abuja International Conference Centre
• Oba Akenzua Centre, Benin
• Port Harcourt Trade Fair Complex

These can be branded as “Conference Ready” under an international rating system.

Streamline Visa and Customs Protocols

• Implement a “Conference Visa” valid for up to 30 days with expedited approval.
• Simplify temporary importation of exhibition materials through bonded conference zones.

Create Signature Annual Events

Nigeria should bid to host or create:

• Africa Energy Week – Nigeria Edition
• Africa Manufacturing & Industrialisation Forum
• Pan-African Local Content Summit
• Africa Fintech & Creative Economy
• Conference

Build Partnerships with Global Organisers

• Engage global conference players (DMG Events, Informa, Hyve Group) through PPPs, offering infrastructure and regulatory assurance in exchange for co-branding rights.
• Leverage Nigerian Embassies and Diaspora
• Empower embassies and trade missions to pitch Nigeria as a host destination during global meetings.

Risks and Mitigation Strategies

The successful implementation of the National Strategic Events and Conference Office (NSECO) will require proactive management of several potential risks. Security incidents pose a high risk and will be addressed through partnerships with professional event security providers, comprehensive insurance coverage, and the establishment of clear emergency response protocols.

Currency volatility, which carries a medium risk, will be mitigated by allowing contracts to be denominated in foreign currencies and by securing foreign exchange protection facilities. Bureaucratic delays—considered a high risk—will be minimised through the creation of a one-stop NSECO fast-track unit to streamline approvals and coordination.

To cushion the impact of possible initial financial losses (a medium risk), the programme will leverage public seed funding and strategic donor partnerships. Reputation management risks, also rated high, will be mitigated through a robust public relations and crisis communication plan designed to uphold confidence and transparency.

Implementation Timeline

The rollout of the NSECO initiative will be executed in three key phases. Phase 1 (0–6 months) will focus on stakeholder consultations, the formal establishment of the NSECO, and the approval of the overarching policy framework, culminating in the publication of the National Events Strategy White Paper. Phase 2 (6–18 months) will involve comprehensive venue audits, strategic marketing activities, and the submission of Nigeria’s initial bids to host two to three major Africa-wide conferences. Phase 3 (18–36 months) will see the hosting of Nigeria’s first flagship event—such as Africa Energy Week Nigeria—followed by an evaluation of its economic and reputational impact and the development of a long-term annual events calendar

Conclusion: From Attendance to Ownership

Nigeria’s absence as host in the continental conference circuit is not a reflection of incapacity, but of coordination failure.

The nation that supplies the brains, sponsors, and delegates of Africa’s major gatherings should not remain a guest in its own continental story.

The next frontier of Nigerian leadership in Africa lies not only in commerce or oil production but in convening power — the ability to gather the world around African issues on Nigerian soil.

Let Nigeria move from participant to platform, from attendance to ownership, from Cape Town halls to Lagos waterfronts and Abuja corridors.

The world is ready to come — if Nigeria invites it confidently.

Emmanuel Okoroafor is the Executive Officer, Hobark Consultants Management Services